Ok, I'm trying to limit the number of basses I have...I've got a 4 string 62RI P bass that sounds marvelous, but is a 4 string and doesn't like high tension strings like I like...and a new American Std P5, which plays like a dream, but has significantly more high end to the sound--and just isn't as tonally "perfect" in a mix, compared with the 62RI.
Same woods--Alder, rosewood neck. Finish is different, but I would think the 62's nitro would let MORe high end resonate...not less...
Bridge is different, but the new one can at least be strung through the body OR through the bridge. I've tried both.
So, electronics. Pickups: totally different. I've been told by the dealer that Fender's Custom Shop will not sell custom parts, even though you can buy the 62RI PU retail, they would not be willing to wind a 5 string version for me. Spoke to Lindy Fralin--he said he's not tooled up to wind a 5 string P PU and wasn't sure how different his was from Fender's stock winding. It's been suggested that I call Duncan's custom shop, who probably can get the specs of the 62 PU from Fender and custom wind one. Maybe I will.
But, then there's the tone cap. Maybe some of you electronics gurus can sort this out for me: the 62 has a large orange plastic (mylar?) cap with the following on it:
ic
.1k
250S
and the Amercian Std 5 has a cheapy ceramic cap that reads:
ic
503z (or 5032 maybe)
I'd like to get those to match as best before betting into the PU custom winding, since they do sound so similar when you roll a LOT of highs out of the modern one on the board.
Ideas? Suggestions?
Same woods--Alder, rosewood neck. Finish is different, but I would think the 62's nitro would let MORe high end resonate...not less...
Bridge is different, but the new one can at least be strung through the body OR through the bridge. I've tried both.
So, electronics. Pickups: totally different. I've been told by the dealer that Fender's Custom Shop will not sell custom parts, even though you can buy the 62RI PU retail, they would not be willing to wind a 5 string version for me. Spoke to Lindy Fralin--he said he's not tooled up to wind a 5 string P PU and wasn't sure how different his was from Fender's stock winding. It's been suggested that I call Duncan's custom shop, who probably can get the specs of the 62 PU from Fender and custom wind one. Maybe I will.
But, then there's the tone cap. Maybe some of you electronics gurus can sort this out for me: the 62 has a large orange plastic (mylar?) cap with the following on it:
ic
.1k
250S
and the Amercian Std 5 has a cheapy ceramic cap that reads:
ic
503z (or 5032 maybe)
I'd like to get those to match as best before betting into the PU custom winding, since they do sound so similar when you roll a LOT of highs out of the modern one on the board.
Ideas? Suggestions?
